THE ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE HISTORIC AND CLASSIC MOTOR INDUSTRY IN THE UK

11 The sector is essentially based on the use, repair and conservation of existing materials rather than the fabrication of new items. This means that it has a high labour content and a low materials and energy content. In addition, very low average mileages are associated with classic car usage. Classic car usage also has a low import content. The average user of a classic car produces 563 kg of CO 2 equivalent emissions in a year. This is still too much and the industry is working to bring it down. But it needs to be seen in context. It is around half the em issions from using a computer or a mobile phone or from going on a week’s holiday in the Mediterranean. And it is a sixth of the impact of using a modern car regularly or taking a return flight to the Far East. Figure 2 Annual greenhouse gas emissions from a range of activities… The average £1,000 spent on owning and using classic cars creates 80 kg of CO 2 equivalent emissions, after taking all the inputs into account. This compares with 537 kg of CO 2 emissions that would result from an average £1,000 of consumer expenditure , measured the same way. If you spend on classic cars rather than spending the same money going to the pub or eating restaurant meals you halve your environmental emissions. If you spend on classic cars rather than spending a similar amount on short haul holidays you cut your emissions by 90% and compared with flying to the Far East you cut your emissions by as much as 98%. 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000 Annual greenhouse gas emissions (kg CO 2 equivalent) from..... High impact Medium impact Low impact